Interior scaffolding arrangement

ABSTRACT

A scaffold assembly for use in the erection of exterior building walls, said assembly being mounted interiorly of a building under construction, adjacent a proposed exterior wall. Said assembly includes a plurality of laterally spaced frame members, each of which includes a first support member which is secured to the interior of the building for bracing a pair of elongated planks and a second support member which is mounted to the first support member and which extends outward beyond the proposed wall for bracing an esterior elongated plank.

United States Patent Hansen et a1.

INTERIOR SCAFFOLDING ARRANGEMENT Inventors: Robert N. Hansen, 616 Wilson Rd., Lombard, Ill. 60148; George T. Hempel, PO. Box 372, Lombard, 111. 60126; Raymond Noesges, 3521 Louis St., Franklin Park, Ill. 60131 Filed: July 13, 1970 Appl. No.: 54,410

[1.8. Cl ..l82/132, 182/57, 182/82, 182/128 Int. Cl ..E04g 3/02, E04g 1/04 Field of Search 182/82, 229, 230, 57, 132, 182/128 References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 8/1964 Austria ..l82/82 July 25, 1972 Austria ..182/82 Austria 182/82 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney-Olson, Trexler, Wolters & Bushnell [5 7] ABSTRACT A scaffold assembly for use in the erection of exterior building walls, said assembly being mounted interiorly of a building under construction, adjacent a proposed exterior wall. Said as- "sembly includes a plurality of laterally spaced frame members. each of which includes a first support member which is secured to the interior of the building for bracing a pair of elongated planks and a second support member which is mounted to the first support member and which extends outward beyond the proposed wall for bracing an esterior elongated plank.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented July 25, 1972 3,679,026

2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented July 25, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 73 Gdgg 7720 A 065 6.5

ZY/err eL INTERIOR SCAFFOLDING ARRANGEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With present day methods for constructing masonry buildings, one practice is to first construct a reinforced concrete interior frame which defines the floors of the building, and then enclose the floors with masonry walls comprised of juxtaposed layers of concrete blocks and facing bricks. It should be understood that multi-story masonry buildings may be constructed in other manners, however, the present invention is primarily concerned with the general type referred to above.

In practice, few problems are encountered in constructing the masonry walls for the lower floors of a building. However, as the height of a building increases, it becomes more difficult to provide adequate working space or platforms for the masons and laborers. Various techniques are used throughout the industry, but the most common involve the use of exterior scaffolding of the stacked or suspended variety.

The stacked form of scaffolding requires a great number of frame sections to reach the upper floors, and as the height of the scaffold increases, the provision of safe working conditions becomes a problem. Suspended scaffolding, on the other hand, requires considerable setup and change-over time, in addition to the fact that the masonry contractor must wait for substantial completion of the poured concrete frame before he can commence work.

Accordingly, a general object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved scafiold assembly of the type used for supporting an individual outside and adjacent to a building under construction.

A more particular object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved scaffold assembly which is mounted interiorly of a building under construction while supporting a bricklayer outside thereof.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from a reading of the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the scaffold assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention, the assembly being mounted interiorly of a building under construction and extending out beyond a partially completed masonry wall;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the scaffold assembly with the masonry or brick wall being shown in a more completed state;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the scaffold assembly taken generally along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exterior perspective view of the partially constructed building with the scaffold assembly extending out therefrom; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 5-5 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, a scaffold construction or arrangement in accordance with'the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral l0.

The arrangement 10 is mounted interiorly of a partially constructed building 12 which, as shown here, includes a floor 14, a ceiling 16 and a partially completed brick wall 18.

The scafiold arrangement 10 comprises two laterally spaced and aligned identical scaffold frame assemblies 20 and 20a which are positioned interiorly of the partially completed wall section 18 for supporting several sets of planking. Two said sets of planking 22 and 24 are disposed interiorly of the partially constructed wall 18, while the third set 26 is disposed outside and adjacent the wall. Since the scaffold frame assemblies 20 and 20a are identical, like components will be designated by like numerals with the suffix a" distinguishing those components of scaffold frame 20a from similar components of frame assembly 20, with only the latter being described in detail. While only two frame assemblies are shown, it is to be understood that the invention contemplates any number of aligned assemblies depending upon the length of the wall section 18 under construction.

Referring now to FIG. 2, scaffold frame assembly 20 includes an elongated, hollow standard or support member 28 having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 30 which extend through opposite sides thereof, as seen best in FIG. 3. Slidably positioned on support member 28 is an elongated sleeve member 32, the purpose of which will be set forth hereinafter. The standard 28 is vertically positioned adjacent exterior wall 18 and is rigidly secured in this position by a conventional jack screw arrangement 34. The jack screw extends through the bottom end of the standard and, by applying a rotary force to jack screw handles 36, the top flanged end 29 of the standard and the base 31 are engaged against the ceiling l6 and the floor 14, respectively, to wedge member 28 in position.

Sleeve member 32, which is appropriately dimensioned for slidably receiving the standard or support member 28, includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 38 extending through opposite sides thereof. The apertures 38 are alignable with the apertures 30 formed in support member 28, with one or more locking pins 44 being disposed in aligned sets to fix the portions of sleeve 32 along the length of support 28. In addition, the sleeve 32 also includes a flange 40 mounted to its bottom end which provides means for mounting a stanchion 42 to said sleeve.

The sleeve member 32 is slidable along the length of standard 28 so that it may be positioned at any desired height relative to floor 14. Once the desired position is chosen, a plurality of locking pins 44 are inserted entirely through aligned apertures 30 and 38 for rigidly securing the sleeve member to the standard or beam, as shown in FIG. 4. As will become apparent hereinafter, the position at which the sleeve member is secured to the standard or beam determines the positions of planks 22, 24 and 26 relative to the floor of building 12 and that this relative disposition is adjustable.

A second sleeve member 46, somewhat similar to sleeve member 32, is welded or otherwise suitably secured to an upper surface of sleeve member 32. This second sleeve member 46 also includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures designated 48 and extending through opposite sides thereof. Sleeve member 46 has its axis disposed transversely of support member 28 and the sleeve 32 and is designed for slidably receiving and supporting a similarly directed beam 50. As seen in FIG. 2, the beam 50 is telescopically carried by the second sleeve member 46 so that its position relative thereto may be adjusted until a free end thereof extends a sufiicient distance beyond wall 18 for adequately supporting the planks 26. The other free end of beam 50 is disposed interiorly of the wall 18 and provides support means for one end of planking 24.

The beam 50 also includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 52, which are alignable with the apertures 48 in sleeve 46. Thus, once the beam 50 is moved into its desired position relative to the support member 28, locking pins 54, which are identical to locking pins 44, may be inserted through aligned apertures 48 and 52 to secure beam 50in said position.

In addition, a locking pin 56, similar to locking pins 44 and 54, but of greater length, may be inserted through appropriately aligned apertures in sleeve member 46, standard or beam 50, sleeve member 32 and standard or beam 28 for further interlocking these components, if desired. It is to be understood, however, that the apertures extending through beam 50 and the apertures extending through sleeve member 46 in conjunction with locking pins 54 are not necessary for securing the beam to the sleeve member, since the weight of the workmen and the material supported on planking 24 or 26 will adequately prevent relative movement. In addition, it should be noted that whilethe second sleeve arrangement 46 is the preferred means for slidably mounting beam 50 relative to member 28, the invention may be practiced with the use of other structures equally adapted for this purpose.

The stanchion 42 carried by the first sleeve member 32 provides support for planking 22. This element 42 is mounted to the flange 40 of sleeve member 32 by means of a suitable fastening arrangement 58 so that it extends horizontally towards wall 18. The otherwise free end of stanchion 42 is supported by a brace member 60 which is engaged over or hung from the elongated beam 50, as shown in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the brace member 60 includes an elongated portion 62 having a reverse bent flange portion 64 terminating in a bight 66. The bight 66 is engaged over the beam 50 while the lower end of portion 62 forms an integral part of stanchion 42. In the illustrated embodiment, brace member 60 is welded to stanchion 42, however, it is to be understood that other forms of bracing may be employed.

With scaffold frame assemblies 20 and 20a constructed and positioned in the aforesaid manner, the free ends of the elongated beams 50 and 50a extend beyond the partially constructed wall 18, as shown best in FIG. 4, for supporting elongated planking 26 adjacent the exterior surface of the wall. Planking 26, in turn, provides a working platform for a bricklayer 68. Two upwardly extending guard posts 70 and 7011 are secured at their lower ends to the outwardly extending ends of beams 50 and 500, respectively. In addition to supporting a safety rope 72, the guard posts laterally confine the planking to a position between said posts and wall 18.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, planking 22 is supported on stanchions 42 and 42a, while the planking 24 is supported on the inwardly extending free end portions of beams 50 and 50a. If desired, flange members 74 and 74a can be provided on the ends of the beams 50 and 50a for laterally confining said planking 24. The planking 22 and 24 provide platforms for laborers and building material, respectively.

The method of employing the novel scaffolding structure of the present invention for the construction of a masonry enclosing wall will now be detailed, with reference primarily to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. Initially, the lower portion of a wall section 18 is constructed without the aid of scaffolding, the bricklayers and laborers working from the floor 14. As the height of wall 18 increases, the bricklayer cannot conveniently work from the floor l4, and of necessity will need scaffolding to complete the uppermost courses of brick and block. It is at this stage in the construction of wall 18 that the scaffold structure I0 is employed.

First, the upright standards or support members 28 and 28a are wedged in positioned between ceiling l6 and floor 14 by means of jack screws 34 and 34a. The standards 28 and 28a are aligned longitudinally of and spaced from the wall 18 such that the distal ends of stanchions 42 and 42a are disposed just short of the interior block portion of said wall. Next, the sleeves 32 and 32a are adjusted until the axes of the associated sleeves 46 and 46a are approximately at the same height as the uppermost portion of the partially completed wall 18. The sleeves 32 and 32a are then fixed in position by insertion of the locking pins 44 and 44a, as discussed previously.

With the sleeves 32 and 32a properly positioned, beams 50 and 50a are inserted within the transverse sleeve members 46 and 46a, said beams being telescoped until their free ends extend outwardly beyond the wall 18 a distance sufficient to accommodate planking 26. Once properly positioned, beams 50 and 50a are locked in position by means of locking pins 56 and 54. After this is accomplished, the braces 60 and 60a are as sembled to insure adequate support for the free ends of stanchions 42 and 42a.

Preferably, the upright support members 28 and 28a are positioned so that the free ends of beams 50 and 50a extend through a window opening, or the like in wall 18. However, as will be apparent from the following description, this is not absolutely necessary, and solid walls of considerable extent may be constructed with the method and scaffold arrangement of the present invention, without regard for the disposition of beams 50 and 50a.

With the scaffolding frames in position, the various planking arrangements 22, 24 and 26 are then assembled, said arrangements being supported by the opposed free ends of beams 50 and 50a, and the stanchions 42 and 42a so that three work platforms are provided. To insure the safety of the bricklayers on the platform 26, the guard posts 70 and 704 are now inserted and safety rope 72 strung.

The planking or platform 26 of the scaffolding arrangement 10 is now ready to accommodate bricklayers exteriorly of the proposed, partially completed wall section 18. Working from the platform 26, the bricklayer will now extend wall 18 upwardly to the level of the ceiling 16. During this time, bricks, blocks and masonry are supplied to the bricklayers through a window opening or over wall 18, the laborers operating from the interior platforms provided by planking 22 and 24. Further, when the height of wall 18 is such that building materials no longer can be passed over the wall, supply may be eflected from the above adjacent tier.

The employment of window openings, or the like, for accommodating beams 50 and 50a represent the ideal operating condition. However, openings such as these are not always available at the proper location along the length of the wall section to accommodate planking safely. When such is the case, the bricklayers merely build or form the wall 18 about the beams 50 and 50a by omitting the blocks and bricks in the area of said beams so that, in effect, openings are left in the wall through which the beams 50 and 50a extend. The manner or method of attending to these temporary openings will be discussed more completely hereinafter.

After the wall '18 is completed, the bricklayers may leave the platform 26 by way of a convenient window opening or they may merely climb upwardly to the next adjacent floor. In a like manner, the laborers will then remove the guard posts 70 and 70a and the planking 26. Next, the interior planking 24 is disassembled, the locking pins 54 and 54a are removed, and the respective beams 50 and 500 are retracted or withdrawn from the opening in wall 18 interiorly of said wall. The upright support members 28 and 28a are dismantled and the respective scaffolding frame assemblies are transported to the above tier for subsequent use, the bricklayers having previously commenced construction of the lower portion of the enclosing wall for said adjacent tier.

It will be realized, that at those locations where wall 18 was constructed around a beam member 50 or 50a, an opening will remain upon retraction of said member. The interior end of this opening defined by block portion of the wall can be easily sealed from within. The omitted face brick for the exterior portion of wall 18 will be inserted or set in place during the final cleaning operation.

With regard to this latter point, for purposes of a more complete understanding, it should be noted that after completion of the masonry work, it is necessary that the brick veneer be cleaned and washed thoroughly to remove all excess mortar, or the like. Generally, this cleaning operation is effected with the use of scaffolding suspended from the roof of the now substantially completed building. Accordingly, it is an extremely simple expedient, at this time, for the tuckpointers performing the cleaning operation to inset all missing face brick.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in the drawings and described above, it is to be understood that those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that certain modifications, changes and substitutions may be effected with regard to the illustrated structure. Insofar as these modifications, substitutions and alterations fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims appended hereto, they are contemplated.

What is claimed is:

l. A scaffold frame assembly mountable interiorly of a building under construction and adapted for use with one or more similar assemblies to provide a support platform for a workman, said frame assembly comprising: an elongate sup port member adapted to be positioned vertically within the interior of a building under construction and adjacent a proposed exterior wall; a beam element carried by said sup port member and having an end segment thereof adapted to extend outwardly of said proposed exterior wall when said frame assembly is in the assembled condition; mounting means for retractably attaching said beam element to said support member, said mounting means including a first sleeve member slidably carried by said support member, and a second sleeve member carried by said first sleeve member and disposed transversely thereafter with its axis offset with respect to the axis of said first sleeve member, said second sleeve member slidably receiving said beam element to provide for retractive movement of said beam element relative to said second sleeve and said support member, and said end segment of the beam element having an end construction which can be withdrawn through a relatively small yet to be completed opening left in the wall, such that after completion of said wall around said beam element while in the assembled condition, said beam element may be withdrawn interiorly of said wall without altering the position of said support member or said respective sleeve members.

2. A scaffold assembly as defined in claim 1, further including a stanchion arrangement having a first, generally horizontal section releasably connected to said first sleeve member and a second vertically disposed section integral with said first section and having means for engagement with said beam element, such that said vertically extending section is available to provide support for planking interiorly of said wall.

3. A method of providing a working platform exteriorly of a proposed masonry wall of a building under construction, which building includes floor and ceiling structure to be enclosed by said wall, said method including the steps of: providing two or more scaffolded frame assemblies, each including an elongate, extendable support means and a beam element carried by said support means and having a free, load supporting end; mounting said assemblies interiorly and independently of the proposed wall by engaging said elongate, extendable support means with said floor and ceiling structure; disposing said beam elements with the free ends thereof extending perpendicularly to and outwardly of said proposed wall; and supporting one or more planks on said free ends of the beam elements to provide a working platform, the improvement including the steps of: retractably mounting certain of said beam elements, providing the free ends of said certain beam elements with structure permitting said free ends to be retracted through yet to be completed openings in said masonry wall, and upon completion of said wall about the free ends of said certain beam elements withdrawing said beam elements interiorly of said masonry wall through said openings without disengagement and disassembly of said elongate extendable support means.

4. A method of constructing masonry walls for a building of the general type wherein a concrete frame or the like is constructed to define and provide floor and ceiling structure for the respective floors thereof, with said masonry wall being employed to enclose said floors, said method including the steps of: partially completing the lower portion of a proposed masonry wall section; providing at least two scafiold frame assemblies, each havingan elongate extendablesupport means and a beam element having a free load supporting end; mounting said scaffold frame assemblies interiorly of and adjacent to said partially completed wall section by engaging said extendable, elongate support means with said floor and ceiling structure, with the free ends of the beam elements extending perpendicular to and outwardly of said proposed wall; employing said free ends to define a working platform for masons exteriorly of said partially completed wall section; completing said proposed wall about said beam elements except for one or more relatively small, yet to be completed openings through which said beam elements extend; withdrawing said beam elements through said relatively small, yet to be completed openings, after completion of said wall section, without disengagement and disassembly of the elongate, extendable support means; and enclosing said opening subsequent to withdrawal of the free ends of said beam elements. 

1. A scaffold frame assembly mountable interiorly of a building under construction and adapted for use with one or more similar assemblies to provide a support platform for a workman, said frame assembly comprising: an elongate support member adapted to be positioned vertically within the interior of a building under construction and adjacent a proposed exterior wall; a beam element carried by said support member and having an end segment thereof adapted to extend outwardly of said proposed exterior wall when said frame assembly is in the assembled condition; mounting means for retractably attaching said beam element to said support member, said mounting means including a first sleeve member slidably carried by said support member, and a second sleeve member carried by said first sleeve member and disposed transversely thereafter with its axis offset with respect to the axis of said first sleeve member, said second sleeve member slidably receiving said beam element to provide for retractive movement of said beam element relative to said second sleeve and said support member, and said end segment of the beam element having an end construction which can be withdrawn through a relatively small yet to be completed opening left in the wall, such that after completion of said wall around said beam element while in the assembled condition, said beam element may be withdrawn interiorly of said wall without altering the position of said support member or said respective sleeve members.
 2. A scaffold assembly as defined in claim 1, further including a stanchion arrangement having a first, generally horizontal section releasably connected to said first sleeve member and a second vertically disposed section integral with said first section and having means for engagement with said beam element, such that said vertically extending section is available to provide support for planking interiorly of said wall.
 3. A method of providing a working platform exteriorly of a proposed masonry wall of a building under construction, which building includes floor and ceiling structure to be enclosed by said wall, said method including the steps of: providing two or more scaffolded frame assemblies, each including an elongate, extendable support means and a beam element carried by said support means and having a free, load supporting end; mounting said assemblies interiorly and independently of the proposed wall by engaging said elongate, extendable support means with said floor and ceiling structure; disposing said beam elements with the free ends thereof extending perpendicularly to and outwardly of said proposed wall; and supporting one or more planks on said free ends of the beam elements to provide a working platform, the improvement including the steps of: retractably mounting certain of said beam elements, providing the free ends of said certain beam elements with structure permitting said free ends to be retracted through yet to be completed openings in said masonry wall, and upon completion of said wall about the free ends of said certain beam elements withdrawing said beam elements interiorly of said masonry wall through said openings without disengagement and disassembly of said elongate extendable support means.
 4. A method of constructing masonry walls for a building of the general type wherein a concrete frame or the like is constructed to define and provide floor and ceiling structure for the respective floors thereof, with said masonry wall being employed to enclose said floors, said method including the steps of: partially completing the lower portion of a proposed masonry wall section; providing at least two scaffold frame assemblies, each having an elongate extendable support means and a beam element having a free load supporting end; mounting said scaffold frame assemblies interiorly of and adjacent to said partially completed wall section by engaging said extendable, elongate support means with said floor and ceiling structure, with the free ends of the beam elements extending perpendicular to and outwardly of said proposed wall; employing said free ends to define a working platform for masons exteriorly of said partially completed wall section; completing said proposed wall about said beam elements except for one or more relatively small, yet to be completed openings through which said beam elements extend; withdrawing said beam elements through said relatively small, yet to be completed openings, after completion of said wall section, without disengagement and disassembly of the elongate, extendable support means; and enclosing said opening subsequent to withdrawal of the free ends of said beam elements. 